Why is a kilt today 8 yards

[opositive]

A possible reason is that the 18th and the first half of the 19th century was the time of the little ice age. So could the extra yardage provide extra warmth? Just a thought.

Chris.

i doubt it since the little ice age during the revolutionary war was very bitter, without added yardage.

[warrior]

One item of historical note. This increase in yardage occurred during the height of the British empire. Military budgets would have been at their highest and by the end of the victorian era excess was the norm.

[opositive]

One item of historical note. This increase in yardage occurred during the height of the British empire. Military budgets would have been at their highest and by the end of the victorian era excess was the norm.

i was hoping someone would make both of these points.

making high quality uniforms and having the best equipment would project to the world that you have considerable resources-so, it would not be a good idea to pick a fight. it is better to win a conflict without having to fire a shot.

a well designed and constructed uniform helps to instill pride in the soldier, which in turn helps him feel confident and project a powerful presence. recruiting would also be enhanced at a time when the empire needed soldiers all over the world

us marine recruitment ads show both how tough they are and how terrific they look in dress blues. think of the effect of seeing a marine in dress blues and all the symbolism associated therewith. the uniform effects the marine and the observer. all of the armed services deserve our respect, but i use the marines as my example since i think that the marines have been extremely effective with promoting their image.

appearance has multiple practical military purposes. perhaps in the 19th century, the brits wanted to enhance their image of being rich and powerful, which was reflected both in military uniforms and in civilian attire.

[Brett]

One item of historical note. This increase in yardage occurred during the height of the British empire. Military budgets would have been at their highest and by the end of the victorian era excess was the norm.

And if I were a mill owner supplying wool at this time, I might very well try hard to sell the merits of an 8 yard kilt as far superior to a 4 or 5 yard kilt.

[warrior]

Well whole I am opining let me toss out another thought. The military of the british empire was and is steeped in traditions that are quite odd by today's standards. Remember this was the very same military that thought it good form to stand in the wide open in neat ranks while being sniped at by riflemen binding behind every rock and tree. They even obliged their adversaries by continuing to cover their center mass with scarlet tunics. It surprises me not that the military kilt grew from a purely utilitarian garment to a mass of excess cloth if for no other reason than the british empire's long standing preference of military tradition over today's utilitarian practicality. What was that line about mad dogs and englishmen? I imagine that if the kilt were still a combat uniform today we would see something like a utilikilt on the front lines.

[chrisupyonder]

I imagine that if the kilt were still a combat uniform today we would see something like a utilikilt on the front lines.

Maybe that just might be a good idea in the tropics!

Chris.

[Dale Seago]

appearance has multiple practical military purposes. perhaps in the 19th century, the brits wanted to enhance their image of being rich and powerful, which was reflected both in military uniforms and in civilian attire.

I'd never considered such things regarding the increase in kilt yardage. However, this is also the period in which we have the devolution of the dirk into an ornate piece of masculine bling and the adoption of large gaudy plaid brooches for men; so perhaps there is indeed something to it.

[Joshua]

Unless I missed it, no one has brought up one thing I think would affect regimental kilts more than any government scheme, ice age, etc...

The effect of seeing 1,000 soldiers in kilts swishing in unison, marching parade.

In history of other militaries, you have so many effects that made no sense in battle except for your soldiers to be noticed on the parade grounds when marching. The Germans mastered the goose-step to create an imposing sound when marching, and the exaggerated hand swing in unison to create a powerful "at march" visual. Same with modern military "Present Arms" and other unison movements. All done in cohesion to have a stunning affect on those watching.

Elaborate headwear by almost all countries military was simply made so the soldiers eye and face were static during a march where their bodies were in motion.

My guess is a group of soldiers in a regiment at one time, somehow procured higher yardage kilts... and those kilts swaying affected a commanding officer, royalty, or dignitary... and thus, influencing a drive towards higher yardage.



This is all a SWAG, btw... but one I think makes some sense.

[warrior]

Joshua, jmo, but that is what probably fixed the regimental weight eight yard double box pleated kilted for all eternity. All the rest may have been the trigger that started the slide but I would have to agree that once a fully rigged highland regiment passed in review it was more or less set in stone.

[paulhenry]

Joshua, jmo, but that is what probably fixed the regimental weight eight yard double box pleated kilted for all eternity. All the rest may have been the trigger that started the slide but I would have to agree that once a fully rigged highland regiment passed in review it was more or less set in stone.

Just a minor correction, some (but not all )of the military wore military box pleats, not double box pleats, they are different,